According to the census of 1860, there were 10,176 slaves laboring in Bedford County. A tangible reminder of these men and women is on the verge of crumbling into oblivion.

Ivy Cliff is a historic house in New London. It’s more than 200 years old and was once the home of a family that owned a tobacco plantation. Near the house, one of the plantation’s slave cabins is still standing and Chris Gulluscio, the current owner of Ivy Cliff, wants to save it.

The minimum age to be a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) is 21. Chelsea Clemons, who is 22, is the youngest CASA working out of the Bedford office.

CASAs are appointed by the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court when a case comes before the court that involves children. The CASA’s job is to look out for the children’s interests and prepare a report for the judge. All CASAs are volunteers.

Bedford County has the fourth largest horse population in Virginia, according to Richard Toms. That was part of the inspiration to start a new organization that actually began in January with seven people and now has grown to 65.

Though he had pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in August, a Thaxton man’s request in late October to have his sentencing delayed because his mother was in the hospital was granted. He is now scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 11.

Matthew Ivan Sayers, 29, entered guilty pleas to two felony charges and one misdemeanor in connection with a fatality accident that claimed the life of a 46-year-old Roanoke man in August 2008. Hilton Holden III was killed when his motorcycle was struck in the rear by a pickup truck driven by Sayers in the Villamont area.

Beginning this week, parents of middle and high school students in Bedford County Public Schools have a fast way to check up on how their students are doing this year.

Parents attending teacher conferences this week were given login information for the new ParentPortal program that puts their students’ grades and attendance records just a mouse click away after entering the PowerSchool program, a student information system.